Preview — I Dissent
by Debbie Levy

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark

Get to know celebrated Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg—in the first picture book about her life—as she proves that disagreeing does not make you disagreeable!

Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has spent a lifetime disagreeing: disagreeing with inequality, arguing against unfair treatment, and standing up for what’s right for people everywhere. This biograpGet to know celebrated Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg—in the first picture book about her life—as she proves that disagreeing does not make you disagreeable!

Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has spent a lifetime disagreeing: disagreeing with inequality, arguing against unfair treatment, and standing up for what’s right for people everywhere. This biographical picture book about the Notorious RBG, tells the justice’s story through the lens of her many famous dissents, or disagreements....more

NI'll echo Erica and also point out that there is a Young Reader's Edition of The Notorious RBG that might be good. (Obviously this is way late now for…moreI'll echo Erica and also point out that there is a Young Reader's Edition of The Notorious RBG that might be good. (Obviously this is way late now for the original poster, but perhaps it can be helpful for someone else.)(less)

I am watching my ten year old daughter read this book, and I smile, with some pride and hope for the future. At certain points she reads out what were even for me surprising details: RBG was one of only 9 women in her law school class of more than 500. RBG saw signs, growing up, that read: "No dogs. No Jews."

This is not surprising to me: "Boys were expected to grow up, and do big things in the world. Girls? Girls were expected to find husbands." Lyra finds it funny, thoughI Assent to this Book!

I am watching my ten year old daughter read this book, and I smile, with some pride and hope for the future. At certain points she reads out what were even for me surprising details: RBG was one of only 9 women in her law school class of more than 500. RBG saw signs, growing up, that read: "No dogs. No Jews."

This is not surprising to me: "Boys were expected to grow up, and do big things in the world. Girls? Girls were expected to find husbands." Lyra finds it funny, though.

RBG faced incredible discrimination as a Jewish woman, that Lyra finds shocking. Lyra also has read about recent increasing anti-semitic attacks in this country, and mentions this as she reads. We talk about the links between history and activism of the sixties and today. Still necessary to know and speak out about, yup.

Some of the stories of prejudice against women are not so surprising to Lyra. She watched her mother board a bus to the Women's March in DC, after all. But she does find it surprising to read that Supreme Court justices had actually once said the following:

"Woman has always been dependent on man."

"The natural and proper timidity and delicacy which belongs to the female sex evidently unfits it for many of the occupations of civil life."

We talk about these things. Some of it is difficult to understand. But she is glad to see that "Ruth really really disagreed with this," and in 1993 became the second woman appointed to the highest court in the land.

I want to see Lyra and her brothers reading books like this every day. I am thrilled to see that it is today on the NY Times Best seller list, so I am imagining girls and boys all over the world reading and gaining inspiration from it. That makes me hopeful as I begin the day and send Lyra off to school. ...more

I loved how this book made a point that even though she often disagreed with Justice Scalia, they were still quite good friends. A great message that we can disagree on things and not hate each other. But the book is also so much more than that.

I've always been a fan of RBG, so I really enjoyed reading this book. When I think powerful female, RBG always comes to mind. This book definitely reflected that through the life events that the author chose to focus on.

What was striking, and most definitely dismaying, was the prejudice RBG faced being Jewish. Not only this, but she also dealt with resistance for simply being a woman in a "working man's world". The book also touched on the time period -- "whi"Disagreeable? No. Determined? Yes."

I've always been a fan of RBG, so I really enjoyed reading this book. When I think powerful female, RBG always comes to mind. This book definitely reflected that through the life events that the author chose to focus on.

What was striking, and most definitely dismaying, was the prejudice RBG faced being Jewish. Not only this, but she also dealt with resistance for simply being a woman in a "working man's world". The book also touched on the time period -- "whites only," "no Mexicans," "no Jews." I was saddened that she grew up in a time period where hatred was so prevalent. I was also disheartened because I realized we are not so far away from that today. Despite all of this, there was a very positive message of perseverance in the face of adversity.

I read this book to my 3 month old son, and I will continue to read it to him until we can discuss this amazing woman together. I want to instill in him a love for all people, and the idea that you can overcome difficulties to achieve your dreams. A great place to start is with books like this....more

Like most people who care about what’s happening in the world and aspire to live in a more just society, I’m a huge admirer of Justice Ginsburg. The discrimination she faced as a Jewish female was appalling. She was one of nine women and 500 men in her class, and despite tying for graduating first in her class, she had trouble finding work because women were supposed to stay home with their children.

What Ginsburg has accomplished is awe-inspiring. I bought this for my six-year-old niece, and shLike most people who care about what’s happening in the world and aspire to live in a more just society, I’m a huge admirer of Justice Ginsburg. The discrimination she faced as a Jewish female was appalling. She was one of nine women and 500 men in her class, and despite tying for graduating first in her class, she had trouble finding work because women were supposed to stay home with their children.

What Ginsburg has accomplished is awe-inspiring. I bought this for my six-year-old niece, and she needed help with the vocabulary and concepts, but I think it’s important to bring up the topics of religious and gender bias young.

Another thing I never knew about RBG was that she wears a different color collar if her opinion is in the majority—if she concurs—or if she’s in the minority—if she dissents. She is an awesome lady that everyone—boys, girls, adults—should know all about.

RBG is one of those folks who has a Clark Kentish librarian look even when she's in full-on superhero mode. I suppose that's true of a lot of heroes (they don' wear spandex and capes when they're fighting for justice.) But when I think back to some of the early superhero comics I think, well, Ginsburg could easily have been one of the models.

In any case, this is a great little window into Ginsburg's history and family life, adding some humor into the mix, making her more than just a hero, but aRBG is one of those folks who has a Clark Kentish librarian look even when she's in full-on superhero mode. I suppose that's true of a lot of heroes (they don' wear spandex and capes when they're fighting for justice.) But when I think back to some of the early superhero comics I think, well, Ginsburg could easily have been one of the models.

In any case, this is a great little window into Ginsburg's history and family life, adding some humor into the mix, making her more than just a hero, but a compassionate, unique, well-rounded person who isn't so grand at singing and cooking.

The book describes her battle against a culture that tries to keep so many people disempowered (women, people of color...). Not only does she fight to get past the barriers that try to keep her confined and keep her from working in the justice system as a woman and a Jewish person, but she fights to be part of the justice system in order to break down those barriers for other people. Her concerns are for others as much as for herself. She's a tzadik, something of a wizard, and a beautiful soul and a wonderful role model for kids, and a needful one in these troubled times. So, needless to say, I'm grateful for Levy's book. ...more

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a force to contend with. The second women to be appointed to the Supreme Court (after Sandra Day O'Connor), she is primarily known for being the "Great Dissenter" of the court. Ginsburg made a name for herself since high school. Attending college at Cornell, Harvard and Columbia Law School Ginsburg often outshined her mostly male classmates but still struggled to get hired. Why? Because she was a women. Well Ginsburg did not let that sto"Disagreeable? No. Determined? Yes."

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a force to contend with. The second women to be appointed to the Supreme Court (after Sandra Day O'Connor), she is primarily known for being the "Great Dissenter" of the court. Ginsburg made a name for herself since high school. Attending college at Cornell, Harvard and Columbia Law School Ginsburg often outshined her mostly male classmates but still struggled to get hired. Why? Because she was a women. Well Ginsburg did not let that stop her and worked her way up all the way to the Supreme Court. This book is beyond inspirational. I have been enjoying very good children's books lately and this one is among the best. With great illustrations, this books is an abridged version of the life of this great woman. I want to put a copy of this book in the hands of every little girl and boy and of every adult that has ever felt defeated and it would be an honor to shake Justice Ginsburg's hand. Very well written and just wonderful all around, I highly (regardless of age) recommend this gem of a book.

I would like to mention Ginsburg's collars. Til I read this book I had not realized they are not mere fashion pieces (though they are that too). Ginsburg has a collar she wears when she wins but her most iconic piece is her "Dissent Collar" : a magnificent black and gold jeweled piece. Its her way of speaking up when she can not speak. Case in point, check what collar Ginsburg was wearing the day after the last election. Its no wonder how Ginsburg acquired the name "The Notorious RBG". She is an icon in more ways than one and could probably beat me in a push-up contest. I look forward to reading a more in-depth book about this amazing woman. As far as this book goes, I absolutely love it....more

Bravo; well done. Lots of information, but engagingly and accessibly told. Even more in the appendices, including photos. A little too simple, I think, for the 10-11 year olds who are usually assigned, iirc, a biographical research report, but maybe a good introduction for them, and definitely a worthy read for any young non-fiction fan.

I especially liked that the book pointed out how prejudices and limits affect all, not just those directly targeted. And I liked the bit about how she and ScaliaBravo; well done. Lots of information, but engagingly and accessibly told. Even more in the appendices, including photos. A little too simple, I think, for the 10-11 year olds who are usually assigned, iirc, a biographical research report, but maybe a good introduction for them, and definitely a worthy read for any young non-fiction fan.

I especially liked that the book pointed out how prejudices and limits affect all, not just those directly targeted. And I liked the bit about how she and Scalia very often disagree, but remain good friends....more

I wasn't going to review I Dissent because I'm trying not to "cheat" in this year's GR challenge but my 7-year-old daughter asked to read it TWICE, which is unheard of these days unless a book involves wars amongst the stars or Lego ninja, so I wanted to add to the sky-high ratings. When I brought it home, it got a hard pass because both of my younger kids thought the cover looked boring -- I love the cover, but our tastes diverge at times.

About a week later, my 7-year-old asked if we could readI wasn't going to review I Dissent because I'm trying not to "cheat" in this year's GR challenge but my 7-year-old daughter asked to read it TWICE, which is unheard of these days unless a book involves wars amongst the stars or Lego ninja, so I wanted to add to the sky-high ratings. When I brought it home, it got a hard pass because both of my younger kids thought the cover looked boring -- I love the cover, but our tastes diverge at times.

About a week later, my 7-year-old asked if we could read it, because she'd started reading it on her own (out of desperation? not sure) and "it was very interesting." So we read it together and they asked questions while we read; their classes had just discussed Dr. King so they had a passing knowledge of the broad strokes of the Civil Rights movement, which tied in nicely with Ginsburg's biography.

I think Levy has written a great kid-friendly biography, easy for lower elementary students (mine are 5 and 7) to understand with a little help, but still smart and fun to read. The story flows well and the illustrations are wonderful. There is a bit about the different collars Ginsburg wears that I think was my kids' favorite part, but my favorite part is way before that: a page about her childhood trips to the library that I have to power through so my voice doesn't crack. I also like that Levy includes Ginsburg's friendship with Scalia to show that you can disagree with someone and still be friends.

After we finished reading the first time, I was pleased with how it went -- the kids were engaged and interested throughout the whole thing -- but obviously it was more successful than I realized, because two days later it was put right back in my hands. I need to find a copy of this one....more

"Her voice might not carry a tune, but it sings out for equality. Step by step, she has made a difference... one disagreement after another."I received a special tote bag at BEA for this book and now it's one that I carry all over the place with me. So, having that bag made me anxious to read this book.What a fantastic way to get history out to kids. It's not only great to learn about the history of equality and the good fight of RBG, but all those delicious vocabulary words are flowing freely t"Her voice might not carry a tune, but it sings out for equality. Step by step, she has made a difference... one disagreement after another."I received a special tote bag at BEA for this book and now it's one that I carry all over the place with me. So, having that bag made me anxious to read this book.What a fantastic way to get history out to kids. It's not only great to learn about the history of equality and the good fight of RBG, but all those delicious vocabulary words are flowing freely throughout. Ginsburg grew up in a time where race was judged, the color of your skin decided which places you would frequent and women were only here to find husbands. As we all know, you can never tell her no to anything. She stood up and fought her way through life and made quite the impression on people around the world.We all have a new hero, Notorious RBG!!...more

********1000 STARS*******I wanted to start my year out with a book that would be inspiring to me!!!

I read this to my kids...and started crying 3 pages in. My oldest daughter took over for me and hearing her read this book to me...made me cry even more. I seriously started recording her reading it because I knew I wanted to remember that moment forever. To say that Ruth Bader Ginsburg is my hero doesn't feel like I'm giving her enough credit. What do you feel for the person that fights battles so********1000 STARS*******I wanted to start my year out with a book that would be inspiring to me!!!

I read this to my kids...and started crying 3 pages in. My oldest daughter took over for me and hearing her read this book to me...made me cry even more. I seriously started recording her reading it because I knew I wanted to remember that moment forever. To say that Ruth Bader Ginsburg is my hero doesn't feel like I'm giving her enough credit. What do you feel for the person that fights battles so that you can have more...fight less? If you invite me to a birthday party expect this book to be part of the gift. This is a must read...must own book.

My husband bought this book for me...to read to our kids which by the way makes him the most amazing man on this planet...he gets me. ...more

An interesting picture book about Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) and her fight against social inequality and prejudice. Although it doesn't go into great detail about RBG and her court cases, it definitely shows the mark she left on America and the addition of the author's note in the back was a nice bonus for extra information. Highly informative but very engaging with boldly colorful designs.

Attention picture book biography fans! I Dissent is a must read for 2nd-5th graders. The book explores Ruth Bader Ginsburg's life and accomplishments in an easy-to-read style. Not only will kids learn a lot of synonyms for the word dissent, they'll also carry away the message that yes, their voice matters. Additional back matter rounds out the book perfectly.

this is a short picture book for kids all about the life of ruth bader ginsburg and how she came to be one of the 9 supreme court justices.

the illustrations are quite aesthetically pleasing and i'm sure lots of young girls will enjoy reading about how they can do anything they set their minds to etc etc

super feminist & girl power-y if you're into that sort of thingthis is a short picture book for kids all about the life of ruth bader ginsburg and how she came to be one of the 9 supreme court justices.

the illustrations are quite aesthetically pleasing and i'm sure lots of young girls will enjoy reading about how they can do anything they set their minds to etc etc

super feminist & girl power-y if you're into that sort of thing...more

Love, love, love!!! A fabulous picture book biography of RBG, with a great author's note at the end with additional biographical information. Great illustrations and a writing style that tells her life story highlighting the times in her life that things were unfair and she stood up against them. A must-have for any classroom.

“Boys were expected to grow up, go out in the world, and do big things. Girls? Girls were expected to find husbands.”

“For all the mothers fightingFor better days to comeAnd all my women, all my women sitting here tryingTo come home before the sunAnd all my sistersComing togetherSay yes I willYes I can”-- Alicia Keys, “SuRichie’s Picks: I DISSENT: RUTH BADER GINSBURG MAKES HER MARK by Debbie Levy and Elizabeth Badderley, ill., Simon and Schuster BFYR, September 2016, 40p., ISBN: 978-1-4814-6559-5

“Boys were expected to grow up, go out in the world, and do big things. Girls? Girls were expected to find husbands.”

“For all the mothers fightingFor better days to comeAnd all my women, all my women sitting here tryingTo come home before the sunAnd all my sistersComing togetherSay yes I willYes I can”-- Alicia Keys, “Superwoman”

“RBG is about more than simply breaking glass ceilings to join a man’s world. As the cofounder of the Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU, and often called the Thurgood Marshall of the women’s rights movement, RBG devised careful, incremental plans for revolutionary goals. She imagined a world where men transformed themselves alongside women and where sexual and reproductive freedom was grounded in women’s equity, and then she worked to make it real. Many of her ideals, from the liberation of men to the valuing of caregivers, remain unrealized. RBG’s longtime friend Cynthia Fuchs Epstein says, ‘I think had she not had this persona as this very soft-spoken, neat, and tidy person, with a conventional life, she would have been considered a flaming radical.’”-- from the 2015 adult bio NOTORIOUS RBG: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF RUTH BADER GINSBURG

The Supreme Court is where it’s at. This is what I explained last week to a group of three dozen Danish college students visiting California. One of their stops was at the San Francisco campaign headquarters of the female presidential candidate for whom I’ve been volunteering.

Many of those Danish students gasped audibly when I recalled how, back in the Sixties, women couldn’t even get credit cards in their own names, no less have an equal shot at getting into grad school, or get paid the same as men. This gender inequity is one of the things that Ruth Bader Ginsburg has fought against throughout her career.

“Sometimes Ruth and her parents took car trips out of the crowded city. As they drove past a hotel in Pennsylvania, Ruth saw a sign: NO DOGS OR JEWS ALLOWED! This is how it was in those days: hotels, restaurants, even entire neighborhoods announcing, ‘No Jews;’ ‘No Colored;’ ‘No Mexicans;’ ‘Whites Only.’”

Ruth Bader Ginsburg grew up a Jewish girl in Brooklyn, often coming face to face with rampant prejudice. Thanks to the encouragement of her mother who believed in education, Ruth was one of the relatively few women of her generation who attended college and then law school.

As we learn in I DISSENT, it was tough: Ruth was one of only nine women in a law school class of 500. She tied for first in her class, but as a woman, she had a terrible time trying to land a job after graduating. Seeking to advance in her career, she had to be truly outstanding in order to obtain a position as one of the few female law professors in the country.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg brought her understanding of inequity and intolerance in America to her work as a lawyer, professor, judge, and U.S. Supreme Court justice, advocating for those who were denied equal opportunity. Throughout her life, as we learn in this excellent picture book biography, she hasn’t hesitated to disagree with the status quo, whether it was asserting her right to write left-handed when her school forced students to use their right hands, letting her lawyer husband do all the family cooking, or standing up for immigrants and minorities.

Over the course of our national history, Supreme Court decisions have impacted women in a multitude of ways, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse. Author Debbie Levy provides examples of some notably sexist quotations from past Supreme Court opinions such as, “The natural and proper timidity and delicacy which belongs to the female sex evidently unfits it for man of the occupations of civil life.” It’s interesting to think about young people coming across such a backward notion in the very months that the ultimate glass ceiling might finally be shattered.

Twenty-three years ago, when Ruth Bader Ginsburg was sworn in as the 107th U.S. Supreme Court justice, she was only the second woman to sit on the High Court. Since then, two more women have attained positions on the Court. That’s an important step in the right direction, but gender equity in America is still a work in progress.

As we see in I DISSENT, the fact that things have gotten better for women in recent decades is thanks, in good measure, to the tenacious, hard-working (and notorious) Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

A powerfully-written, picture-book biography. While I commend the author for her compelling prose and well-structured and justified main idea, I disagree (ironically) with the tone of the book. Having read two accounts of RBG in the court within the past year (Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World andMy Own Words) as well as having read and watched interviews with the justice, I don't think most of her legacy is about dissA powerfully-written, picture-book biography. While I commend the author for her compelling prose and well-structured and justified main idea, I disagree (ironically) with the tone of the book. Having read two accounts of RBG in the court within the past year (Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World andMy Own Words) as well as having read and watched interviews with the justice, I don't think most of her legacy is about dissenting. Ruth Ginsburg has made a point of building her opinions, whether they are with or against the court, with respectful and carefully measured words. By her own description, she thinks steps forward are made only when dissent is used judiciously and sparingly.

While the book does hint to this idea - for example, by mentioning her friendship with Justice Scalia, despite their often differing opinions - I felt that the tone overall did not emphasize this important aspect of Justice Ginsburg's work. I think part of my discomfort was with the illustrations, which I felt showed Justice Ginsburg as more angry and bitter-looking than she appears in general. That's not to say that Justice Ginsburg never wears the expressions from the book, but rather I don't think she does as often as is potrayed.

I guess I kind of wish this book had had a different title: "I Respect". Then it could have shown how Justice Ginsburg's real message to us all is that dissenting is not enough, though it is crucial. Speaking out is not enough, though it is vital. One must dissent and speak out in a way that shows one respects and values the person with whom one is disagreeing....more

The content was good regarding Justice G.'s life and accomplishments in the face of antisemitism and sexism; but the author started off with a really awkward couple of pages of "DISAPPROVED, DIFFERED, DISAGREED, OBJECTED, RESISTED, DISSENTED," etc. (yes in all caps) to tie in with the title. Then throughout the story, she forces these words in awkwardly, interrupting the flow. It is a picture book for young children, and I didn't love the cartoonish illustrations either. At the end, (for the aduThe content was good regarding Justice G.'s life and accomplishments in the face of antisemitism and sexism; but the author started off with a really awkward couple of pages of "DISAPPROVED, DIFFERED, DISAGREED, OBJECTED, RESISTED, DISSENTED," etc. (yes in all caps) to tie in with the title. Then throughout the story, she forces these words in awkwardly, interrupting the flow. It is a picture book for young children, and I didn't love the cartoonish illustrations either. At the end, (for the adult who is reading to the kids, presumably), there is a bibliography and a couple pages with more background on her life, her cases, etc. I do think it's wonderful to have such a book for young children and therefore I agree that it deserved recognition from J.A.P.A. "reading for peace and justice."...more

Definitely purchasing this one, since it was everything I am looking for in a picture book. Nice introduction to a fascinating character that students need to know about. Lots of facts about her life AND the times in which she has lived, and there is a more informative section at the back covering additional information. This might take some hand selling, though, because of the somewhat forbidding picture on the cover, but I'm excited to get this one to older students who equate picture books wiDefinitely purchasing this one, since it was everything I am looking for in a picture book. Nice introduction to a fascinating character that students need to know about. Lots of facts about her life AND the times in which she has lived, and there is a more informative section at the back covering additional information. This might take some hand selling, though, because of the somewhat forbidding picture on the cover, but I'm excited to get this one to older students who equate picture books with If You Give a Moose a Muffin, but who will learn a lot from reading this. ...more

Great mix of illustrations, typography/hand lettering and text showing how Ginsburg grew up and pushed the limits to become who she is today. Perfect book for a "strong girl" library.

Critic's review say:

"This bio of Justice Ginsburg is supremely inspiring, breaking down complicated ideas about the constitution, legal system, and issues of equality for young readers while celebrating Ginsburg's life."Jan Carr, Common Sense Media

"There’s a new strong-willed young heroine in the world of childrenGreat mix of illustrations, typography/hand lettering and text showing how Ginsburg grew up and pushed the limits to become who she is today. Perfect book for a "strong girl" library.

Critic's review say:

"This bio of Justice Ginsburg is supremely inspiring, breaking down complicated ideas about the constitution, legal system, and issues of equality for young readers while celebrating Ginsburg's life."Jan Carr, Common Sense Media

"There’s a new strong-willed young heroine in the world of children’s literature: Ruth Bader Ginsburg."

The author begins her story by showing, on one side of the 2-page spread, the future Supreme Court Justice, born in 1933, as a disputatious young girl. On the other, we see her as a much older disputatious justice. She writes:

“You could say that Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life has been . . . one disagreement after another.

This is how Ruth Bader Ginsburg changed her life - and ours.”

She then takes us through Ruth’s childhood in Brooklyn, New York, in a neighborhood full of immigrants, who, while diffThe author begins her story by showing, on one side of the 2-page spread, the future Supreme Court Justice, born in 1933, as a disputatious young girl. On the other, we see her as a much older disputatious justice. She writes:

“You could say that Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life has been . . . one disagreement after another.

This is how Ruth Bader Ginsburg changed her life - and ours.”

She then takes us through Ruth’s childhood in Brooklyn, New York, in a neighborhood full of immigrants, who, while different in some ways, in one way were the same: boys were expected to grow up to do big things, and women were expected to find husbands.

Ruth’s mother disagreed, and took her to the library where she discovered stories of female heroes.

But Ruth had another obstacle to overcome: whenever they left the city, they encountered signs barring entrance to Jews (as she was), blacks, Mexicans, etc. As the author wrote: “She never forgot the sting of prejudice.”

Ruth objected to prejudice of any kind, and to the other injustices she encountered in school. She was told not to write with her left hand, even though she was left-handed. She was made to learn sewing and cooking in school, while boys got to take shop and work with tools. She wanted to sing, but her teacher said she could not carry a tune. In all of these areas, Ruth protested whenever she could.

At college, she met Marty Ginsburg, who agreed that Ruth should have the opportunity to go to law school, and eventually they married. At law school, Ruth was one of only nine women in a group of 500 men. But she tied for first place in the class.

Nonetheless, after graduation, no one would hire her. Men did not want to work with a woman [not to mention, one probably smarter than any of them]; she was a mother (law firms thought that would distract her); and she was Jewish, at a time when many firms didn’t hire Jews. Finally a judge hired her, and then she became a law professor.

Ruth also went to the Supreme Court to advocate for rights for women, arguing her first case in 1973. The author writes:

“Ruth did not win every case, but she won enough. With each victory, women and men and girls and boys enjoyed a little more equality.”

In 1993, she was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton, becoming the second woman ever, after Sandra Day O'Connor, to serve on that body, and the first Jewish woman ever to be appointed to the Court. She began to wear two different collars over her robes: one when she agreed with the Court’s decision, and a different one when she dissented.

The author (who, it should be noted, formerly practiced law) reports that now Justice Ginsburg is the oldest member of the Court. “Some people have said she should quit because of her age. Justice Ginsburg begs to differ.”

Throughout the book, large words are depicted over the text that illustrate the theme the author has made central to Ginsburg’s life: “I disagree!” “I object!” “I beg to differ!” “I do not concur!”

In an Afterword, the author provides additional details about Ginsburg’s life, and about the sociopolitical context in which she grew up. She also includes references to some of the cases Ginsburg argued before the Court as a lawyer, and some of the cases on which she made an impact while she has been serving as Supreme Court Justice. In addition, there is a bibliography and a list of sources.

The illustrations by Elizabeth Baddeley are made with pencil, ink and watercolor, employing an entertaining “comic book” style that will appeal to kids.

Evaluation: The author said in an interview that the story of the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) offers the inspiring lesson that “[d]isagreeing [especially if you are a girl] does not make you disagreeable, and important change happens one disagreement at a time.” Standing up for what is right is a great lesson to impart to children. At the same time, she notes, “simply disagreeing without more isn’t really enough if you want to change your life or anyone else’s.” So on the back of the book, she includes a quote from RBG: “Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”...more

Gold winner of the CA Reading Association's 2016 Eureka! Award. Oh, the vocabulary students will learn from this book while also learning about an influential Supreme Court Justice!!! Even as a small child Ruther Bader Ginsburg DISAGREED, DISSENTED, PROTESTED, OBJECTED, DISAPPROVED, RESISTED, DID NOT CONCUR and PERSISTED. She was also DETERMINED to rise up in a male-dominated profession and make a difference in the lives of everyday Americans. Lots of room for discussion about how Ginsburg has sGold winner of the CA Reading Association's 2016 Eureka! Award. Oh, the vocabulary students will learn from this book while also learning about an influential Supreme Court Justice!!! Even as a small child Ruther Bader Ginsburg DISAGREED, DISSENTED, PROTESTED, OBJECTED, DISAPPROVED, RESISTED, DID NOT CONCUR and PERSISTED. She was also DETERMINED to rise up in a male-dominated profession and make a difference in the lives of everyday Americans. Lots of room for discussion about how Ginsburg has shaped the lives of people through the cases she's argued and in her role as a Supreme Court Justice--very focused on equality for all. Great two-page author's note at the end written at a higher Lexile about Ginsburg as well.

Just a note. This is not a deal breaker, but I don't think the author needed to include details about "some people have said she should quit because of her age" and that Ginsburg "begs to differ." The author makes a statement about how hard Ginsburg still works (including details about how she works out every day) and follows with an explicit summary of what's already been said about the amazing work she's done. I think the reader could have inferred this or drawn this conclusion on their own. Not a deal breaker - I'd still read aloud this book or encourage partners to read and discuss. There's even room for a discussion about the author's point of view as well as her purpose for including that last page....more

An introduction to the life and work of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The writing is perfectly suited to its child audience and does a great job of using Ginsburg's formative influences to show how well suited she is to her job and how she forms the basis for her difficult decisions.

I really liked how the legal terminology is emphasized in text and artwork; it sets just the right tone for this story and also teaches some vocabulary along the way. I think the information presented iAn introduction to the life and work of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The writing is perfectly suited to its child audience and does a great job of using Ginsburg's formative influences to show how well suited she is to her job and how she forms the basis for her difficult decisions.

I really liked how the legal terminology is emphasized in text and artwork; it sets just the right tone for this story and also teaches some vocabulary along the way. I think the information presented is thoughtfully chosen so that young readers will be inspired to learn more about Ginsburg (I know I certainly did some research on Ginsburg's collars after finishing this book!)

I also really appreciated the inclusion of the compare and contrast elements relating to Ginsburg's and Scalia's relationship. In many ways they balanced each other on the Supreme Court and though they disagreed about many different things, they left those differences at work and still enjoyed each other's friendship. It's an important example to offer kids and one that sets a shining example of how to work together and find the good in one another, especially when ideas clash.

Back matter includes photos and and a more in depth look at Ginsburg's life as well as notes on Supreme Court cases, and a selected bibliography.

Picture book biography about the life and career of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a strong woman and formidable activist. Superb writing. Love the vocabulary choices. Appealing design. Incorporates the discrimination she faced due to being both a woman and Jewish. Effective explanation of historical contexts. Provides just the right amount of detail, with a two page spread at the end that conveys additional information and photos of Ruth at variousText: 5 starsIllustrations: 5 stars

Picture book biography about the life and career of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a strong woman and formidable activist. Superb writing. Love the vocabulary choices. Appealing design. Incorporates the discrimination she faced due to being both a woman and Jewish. Effective explanation of historical contexts. Provides just the right amount of detail, with a two page spread at the end that conveys additional information and photos of Ruth at various ages. Court case citations and bibliography included in the back of the book. Wonderful messages of female empowerment, equality for all, the importance of education, and the power of advocacy. Who says women can't have it all?...more